Keen Blackcomb Boots
By James Sharp

Keen made a name for itself making comfortable sandals that had extra protection for the toes. As they gained in popularity, they branched out to include more shoes -- running shoes, casual shoes, light weight hiking shoes and even winter boots. This winter has been colder than normal for the Northwest, there has even been -- shudder -- snow on the valley floors. What better way to test out the Blackcomb, Keen's insulated winter hiking boot?

The Blackcomb continues with the rubber toe bumper theme that is common on all of Keen's shoes and adds eVent liner combined with a Nubuck and Nylon upper. In order to keep your feet cozy and warm, Keen has added 200g Primaloft insulation. This insulation has given the shoes a rating of -25°F. Keen has also placed a thermal shield under the foot bed to help keep the cold from seeping up from the ground. All of this combines to make a comfortable shoe in nearly any condition. The upper is also waterproof, something that is very nice in our wet winters.

True to form, I found the Blackcomb a very, very comfortable boot. The eVent did it's job keeping my feel from feeling clammy. While the Primaloft insulation isn't the thickest or heaviest out there -- and that's a good thing if you are hiking -- it did an admirable job of keeping my feet warm... as long as I was moving. If you are standing around, at a sporting event, for example, expect your feet to be a little chilly. Mine were.

I have to assume that the temperature rating doesn't mean that you'll be warm at -25°F, rather, that you won't lose any of your toes at that temperature. If you keep moving, you should be fine. Since these boots aren't sized any larger than their lightweight hikers, don't expect to wear thicker socks without feeling a little claustrophobic. If you plan on using thick socks with the Blackcomb, get them one-half size larger than your summer shoes.

I really appreciated the extra protection that the toe bumper provides. It has also prevented quite a bit of wear in the toe area; I'd expect the shoes to last quite a while. My review sample shows no signs of wear, other than collected dirt.

Summary: At $130, the Blackcomb is a reasonably priced winter boot that will keep you on your feet all day long. They are comfortable, durable, waterproof and breathable... in short everything you'd want in a winter boot. I think that the stated temperature rating is a little optimistic for standing around, but should be achievable if you are moving. If you are looking for a hiking shoe to take you into the hills when it's cold out, look no further.

James Sharp is a contributing editor for GearReview.com; more of his thoughts on the weather and a look at upcoming reviews can be found at his blog -- Lactic Acid Threshold.

For more information, contact:
E-mail: info@keenfootwear.com
Keen Footware